Posted on 08/12/2023 8:17:50 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
WEST ORANGE, New Jersey (WCBS) -- The owner of a bagel shop in West Orange, New Jersey thinks he's being unfairly targeted by the town's zoning department.
Jarrett Seltzer, who opened Bagels by Jarrett in early 2020, claims he was cited twice for zoning infractions even though he's following the rules.
"We switched to curbside, obviously because of COVID. And it was one of those things that just ended up working," said Seltzer.
That curbside-only business model stuck. Customers still order online and their food is carried out to them.
Seltzer keeps the shades down to lower his cooling bill and discourage customers from coming inside.
In July, Seltzer was given a summons from the West Orange Zoning Department, which claimed he violated an ordinance that states "all windows shall be left uncovered and shall not be opaque to the public view."
The ordinance also says "All screening of interiors, or shades, shall be maintained clean and in a good state of repair."
"As far as the code reads, we're not breaking the code. And we stand by that," said Seltzer.
Seltzer said the zoning department gave him another summons on Thursday for advertisements covering more than one-third of his windows, which he disputes.
Seltzer said he's facing thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time.
"If you drive down Main Street in West Orange, you will see that every single business has window shades up. No one has any issues with their window shades. It's only my window shades. And I can't tell you why," said Seltzer.
Mayor Susan McCartney told CBS New York she believes Seltzer violated the ordinances even after she tried to work with him on a solution.
Loyal Bagels by Jarrett customers said Seltzer is being harassed by township officials over window treatments.
"I don't understand it. I'm not a lawyer. I am a realtor in town, or whatever, so it really doesn't make us look good, to be honest with you," said Amy Gallatin.
Seltzer hired an attorney and plans to fight the claims before a judge on Aug. 22.
Both Will and James were the sons of actual Italian immigrants, although Will’s parents settled near Toronto I believe. James’s parents were from central, not southern Italy.
“If you drive down Main Street in West Orange, you will see that every single business has window shades up. No one has any issues with their window shades. It’s only my window shades. And I can’t tell you why,” said Seltzer.
Here’s why. The others paid protection money to the right people. You evidently didn’t. Capiche?
Tragic loss that was...
“His shades reduce his energy consumption, reduces his carbon footprint, and likely shaved at 7 years off our certain demise from (dramatic pause) climate change.”
Lol.
If he argued that successfully they would order all businesses to do it.
In the minds of a lefty that which is not required is prohibited.
Where’s the gabagool?
Jersey? Look at a nearby bagel joint with a connect to the people in charge.
We need to send you a shortwave transmitter so you can send reports from behind enemy lines. “The chair is against the wall...”
Yep. For whatever reason,me thinks this guy is being targeted by the local gestapo.
Will Sasso also does a great in his latter years Elvis. One skit he is riding in the back seat of his limo sitting between to old friends. Funny as hell!
I wonder how they feel about shades drawn in vote counting rooms?
Democrats want to know who you are talking to, selling goods to, they don’t believe in privacy.
Just self ID as an election ballot counting office where the shades are down to protect the identity of the counters........
True that. Hudson County once was any way. Dems have been choking NJ for decades.
Conservatives here are in enemy country all the time.
Thoee conditions are examples of stupid local ordinances.
If such conditions make a store less attractive or unfovaorable to that store's potential customers then that is that store's loss. If they don't, they are in "violation" of nothing real or practicle. The ordinances simply make the town's "regulations" out to be fascistic and stupid.
Brilliant! We always need to turn their words back on them whenever possible!
Hi.
“Imagine Americans once went to war over a 0.5% excise tax.”
My how far we have fallen culturally and spiritually.
IMHO here are some of the culprits...
Academia, entertainment industry, corporate media and Big Tech.
In coordination with the government.
We had a nice run with the Republic, but the calendar is short.
5.56mm
Communists do not ignore even the most minor situation to demonstrate their absolute power over the serfs...
They know that the serfs will respond with crickets...
Will mob boss Murphy be drawn into the dispute ... will SWAT team resources be needed?
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